Overview
- Apple updated its purchase FAQ Wednesday to say iPhones financed through AT&T, T‑Mobile, or Verizon will be locked to that carrier until the final payment is made.
- iPhones bought outright or financed through Apple Card Monthly Installments or Apple iPhone Payments remain unlocked at activation and are not affected by the change.
- Apple’s checkout pages still show inconsistent language for T‑Mobile and Verizon financing, which creates confusion over whether the policy is already enforced at purchase.
- A locked financed phone prevents swapping the main SIM, activating a second eSIM for another network, or using foreign SIM cards while the balance is unpaid, which alters travel and carrier‑switching options.
- Industry coverage notes carriers commonly lock financed devices to deter unpaid resales, but Apple has not publicly given a detailed reason for the FAQ change.